September 15, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “Lobbyist Finds a Quiet Place to Work, as a Six-Figure U.S. Government Contractor” by Eric Lipton for New York Times California: “Number of California Lobbyists Grows over Past Decade” by Jim Miller for Sacramento Bee Florida: “Lobbyist Miscues Laid […]
Lobbying
“Lobbyist Finds a Quiet Place to Work, as a Six-Figure U.S. Government Contractor” by Eric Lipton for New York Times
California: “Number of California Lobbyists Grows over Past Decade” by Jim Miller for Sacramento Bee
Florida: “Lobbyist Miscues Laid Out in Legislative Report” by Brandon Larrabee (News Service of Florida) for Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Missouri: “Man Fined for Not Registering as Lobbyist” by Summer Ballentine (Associated Press) for Waynesville Daily Guide
Ethics
Alabama: “Mike Hubbard Says Alabama Ethics Law He Fought For Is Unconstitutionally Vague” by The Associated Press for AL.com
Illinois: “Jury Finds Lake Station Mayor, Wife Guilty in Federal Trial” by Teresa Auch Schultz for Chicago Tribune
New York: “Who’s Paying Assemblyman’s Auto Bills?” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
Elections
“Perry Suspends Campaign after Hopes for a ‘Second Chance’ Were Dashed” by David Weigel, Philip Rucker, and Dan Balz for Washington Post
Procurement
“Federal Contractors Tell Obama: Stop picking on us” by Lydia Wheeler for The Hill
Redistricting
“New Political Map-Making Push Gains Ground, Concerns” by Rick Pearson for Chicago Tribune
August 11, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying California: “Anaheim Councilwoman Criticized for Trip with Disneyland Lobbyist” by Adam Elmahrek for Voice of OC Campaign Finance “New Challenge Filed to Party ‘Soft-Money’ Limits” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA Alabama: “Federal Court Upholds Alabama PAC-to-PAC Transfer Ban […]
Lobbying
California: “Anaheim Councilwoman Criticized for Trip with Disneyland Lobbyist” by Adam Elmahrek for Voice of OC
Campaign Finance
“New Challenge Filed to Party ‘Soft-Money’ Limits” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA
Alabama: “Federal Court Upholds Alabama PAC-to-PAC Transfer Ban Law” by Shaun Zinck for Legal Newsline
Montana: “Campaign Finance Rules Released, Upcoming Public Hearings” by Alexander Deedy for Helena Independent Record
Ethics
Pennsylvania: “Corruption Accusations Paint Troubling Picture of Politics in Philadelphia Region” by Jonathan Tamari and Chris Palmer for Philadelphia Inquirer
Michigan: “Recordings: State rep asked aide to hide relationship” by Chad Livengood for MLive.com
South Carolina: “S.C. Statehouse Corruption Probe Continues, but Where Will it Lead?” by Schuyler Kropf for Charleston Post and Courier
Texas: “Texas Watchdog Group Calls another Political Titan to Account” by Manny Fernandez for New York Times
Elections
Arkansas: “Arkansas Attorney General Approves Wording of Term Limits Amendment” by The Associated Press for Arkansas Business
Procurement
Mississippi: “Gov. Bryant Orders Contracting Reform” by Geoff Pender for Jackson Clarion-Ledger
April 29, 2015 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying Texas: “Wining and Dining Disclosure Bills Advance” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune Campaign Finance “How Super PACs Can Run Campaigns” by New York Times Editorial Board for New York Times New York: “Bill to Close Campaign Finance Loophole […]
Lobbying
Texas: “Wining and Dining Disclosure Bills Advance” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune
Campaign Finance
“How Super PACs Can Run Campaigns” by New York Times Editorial Board for New York Times
New York: “Bill to Close Campaign Finance Loophole Clears Committee” by Michael Virtanen for Legislative Gazette
Ethics
Colorado: “Denver City Employee Indicted on DIA Contract Bribery Charges” by Mark Jaffe for Denver Post
Georgia: “Ga. Ethics Commission Chooses Ritter as New Leader Following Troubled Period” by The Associated Press for Columbus Republic
Indiana: “Gov. Pence to Sign Ethics Reform Bill” by Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star
New Jersey: “The Dinner Proposal That Led United into Corruption Probe” by David Kocieniewski and David Voreacos for Bloomberg Business
Texas: “Tough Ethics Bills May Hit Too Close to Home for Texas Legislature” by Eva-Marie Ayala for Dallas Morning News
Elections
“G.O.P. Struggling With Shifts on Gay Marriage” by Adam Nagourney for New York Times
Procurement
New York: “With Dean Skelos’s Son Aboard, AbTech Seemed Confident in Bid for Nassau County Contract” by Thomas Kaplan for New York Times
April 27, 2015 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Bill Shuster Muscled Through Transportation Bill Pushed by Lobbyist Girlfriend” by Anna Palmer, Jake Sherman, and John Bresnahan for Politico “Taco Bell Lobbyists Thank Congressional Staff with 6,000 Tacos” by Lee Fang for The Intercept California: “For Statewide Change, […]
Lobbying
“Bill Shuster Muscled Through Transportation Bill Pushed by Lobbyist Girlfriend” by Anna Palmer, Jake Sherman, and John Bresnahan for Politico
“Taco Bell Lobbyists Thank Congressional Staff with 6,000 Tacos” by Lee Fang for The Intercept
California: “For Statewide Change, Advocates Are Making Their Battles Local” by Melanie Mason for Los Angeles Times
Indiana: “Trinkets, Website Part of Gov. Pence’s Unique Lobbying Effort” by Ryan Cook for Indianapolis Star
New York: “Skelos Probe Sparks Competing Calls for Change in Nassau County” by James Galloway for Island Now
Campaign Finance
Pennsylvania: “Council Moves to Illuminate Super PAC Money” by Tricia Nadolny for Philadelphia Inquirer
Rhode Island: “Raimondo Signs into Law New Campaign Finance Measures” by Jennifer Bogdan for Providence Journal
Ethics
Illinois: “Ex-State Rep. Smith, Who Pocketed $7,000 Bribe, Gets 5 Months in Prison” by Jason Meisner for Chicago Tribune
Elections
Missouri: “Resignations after Election of Black Mayor Put Missouri Hamlet in Spotlight” by John Eligon for New York Times
Procurement
Florida: “Inspector General Questions County Contractor Deals” by Andy Reid for South Florida Sun Sentinel
April 22, 2015 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “What We Get Wrong about Lobbying and Corruption” by Lee Drutman for Washington Post “Lobbyists Slow to Cash in on Republican-Led Congress” by Megan Wilson for The Hill Campaign Finance “Campaign Finance System Is Broken Says GOP Super-Lawyer Jim […]
Lobbying
“What We Get Wrong about Lobbying and Corruption” by Lee Drutman for Washington Post
“Lobbyists Slow to Cash in on Republican-Led Congress” by Megan Wilson for The Hill
Campaign Finance
“Campaign Finance System Is Broken Says GOP Super-Lawyer Jim Bopp” by Michael Beckel for Center for Public Integrity
Kansas: “Ex-Lawmaker Sentenced to 18 Months in Jail for Bank Fraud” by Nicholas Clayton (Associated Press) for Kansas City Star
Ethics
“Storm Gathers around Clinton Finances” by Niall Stanage for The Hill
Illinois: “Judge Says Berrios Doesn’t Have to Pay $10,000 Ethics Fine” by Hal Dardick for Chicago Tribune
Montana: “Montana Senate Committee Tables Confirmation of Political Practices Commissioner” by Charles Johnson for The Missoulian
Texas: “Texas House OKs Change in Investigating Public Corruption” by Eva Ruth Moravec (Associated Press) for Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Virginia: “Ex-Virginia First Lady McDonnell Tries to Get Corruption Convictions Tossed” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post
Procurement
Texas: “House Launches Contracting Inquiry at 11 State Agencies” by Aman Batheja for Texas Tribune
March 25, 2015 •
Elizabeth Bartz to Speak at NASPO
Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications, will be a featured panelist in a session called “Procurement Lobbying and Legislation that Impacts Procurement” at the 2015 NASPO How to Market to State Governments Meeting. The conference, […]
Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications, will be a featured panelist in a session called “Procurement Lobbying and Legislation that Impacts Procurement” at the 2015 NASPO How to Market to State Governments Meeting.
The conference, which will be held in Philadelphia, PA, runs from March 29-31.
State and Federal Communications is proud to be a Bronze Sponsor of this national forum!
March 9, 2015 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying California: “California Lawmakers Took Less Free Travel in 2014” by Jeremy White and Christopher Cadelago for Sacramento Bee Florida: “In South Florida, the Business of Government Looks More and More Like the Business of Politics” by Patricia Mazzei for […]
Lobbying
California: “California Lawmakers Took Less Free Travel in 2014” by Jeremy White and Christopher Cadelago for Sacramento Bee
Florida: “In South Florida, the Business of Government Looks More and More Like the Business of Politics” by Patricia Mazzei for Miami Herald
Idaho: “Chastened, IACI Now Looks Inward” by Brian Dentzer for Idaho Statesman
New Jersey: “N.J. lobbyists may soon have to pay more to lobby: The Auditor” by NJ Advance Media for Newark Star-Ledger
Rhode Island: “New Task Force Formed by the Secretary of State Seeks to Overhaul Rhode Island’s Lobbying Laws” by Jennifer McDermott (Associated Press) for Greenfield Daily Reporter
Texas: “Judge Removed in Case against Conservative Activist” by John Reynolds for Texas Tribune
Campaign Finance
“Obama Urged to Impose Rules on Campaign Spending Disclosure” by Megan Wilson for The Hill
New Jersey: “Former Bergen County Sen. Coniglio to Pay $100,000 Settlement to State” by Dustin Racioppi for Bergen Record
Ethics
Indiana: “Ethical Dilemma? House Speaker Brian Bosma Has Ties to Indy Eleven” by Tony Cook and Mark Alesia for Indianapolis Star
Wisconsin: “Audit Prompts Changes at Election Agency, Officials Decry Budget Cuts” by Steven Verburg for Wisconsin State Journal
Procurement
Mississippi: “Senate to Propose Changes to ‘No-Bid’ Contracts Bill” by Jimmie Gates and Emily Le Coz for Jackson Clarion-Ledger
January 6, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying Arizona: “Lobbyist Tied to Phoenix VA Executive Fired over Gifts” by Dennis Wagner (Arizona Republic) for USA Today California: “Foes and Fans of L.A. Economic-Justice Group Agree It Gets Things Done” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times […]
Lobbying
Arizona: “Lobbyist Tied to Phoenix VA Executive Fired over Gifts” by Dennis Wagner (Arizona Republic) for USA Today
California: “Foes and Fans of L.A. Economic-Justice Group Agree It Gets Things Done” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times
Maryland: “Hogan’s Pick for Health Chief Says He’ll Avoid Conflicts” by Michael Dresser and Meredith Cohn for Baltimore Sun
Maryland: “Maryland Gov.-Elect Hogan Tries to Navigate Gifts Minefield” by Jenna Johnson for Washington Post
Missouri: “Publisher’s Parties Highlight Reporting Issues in Missouri Ethics Laws” by Rudi Keller for Columbia Daily Tribune
Rhode Island: “R.I. Secretary of State Mollis Ends Probe, Says Stokes Didn’t Have to Register as a Lobbyist for 38 Studios Meetings” by Kate Bramson for Providence Journal
Rhode Island: “Mollis’ Decision on Lynch Sets Bad Precedent, Says Leader of Common Cause” by Jennifer Bogdon for Providence Journal
Campaign Finance
“Judge Candidates’ Free-Speech Rights at Issue before the Supreme Court” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post
Ethics
New Jersey: “Dallas Owner Jerry Jones Paid for Chris Christie’s Trip to Root for Cowboys, Including Private Jet” by Matt Arco (NJ Advanced Media) for Newark Star Ledger
Procurement
Texas: “Audit: Texas Health Agency Mishandled AT&T Contract” by Aman Batheja for Texas Tribune
December 31, 2014 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying Missouri: “With Lobbyists, Missouri Lawmakers Golf and Dine Far from Jefferson City” by Eli Yokely for PoliticMo.com Campaign Finance “Jackson: Senate’s strict rule on donors used once” by Herb Jackson for Bergen Record California: “Politicians Use ‘Ghost’ Campaigns to […]
Lobbying
Missouri: “With Lobbyists, Missouri Lawmakers Golf and Dine Far from Jefferson City” by Eli Yokely for PoliticMo.com
Campaign Finance
“Jackson: Senate’s strict rule on donors used once” by Herb Jackson for Bergen Record
California: “Politicians Use ‘Ghost’ Campaigns to Fight Specter of Lost Funds” by John Wildermuth for San Francisco Chronicle
Kansas: “Judicial Retention Elections Becoming More High Profile in Kansas” by Brad Cooper (Kansas City Star) for Wichita Eagle
North Carolina: “Opinion Says Lawmakers Can Raise Money for Political Nonprofits” by Mark Binker for WRAL
Ethics
“GSA Loses Appeal in Firings of Top Officials; Appeals Board Orders Them Reinstated” by Lisa Rein for Washington Post
“Michael Grimm, in a Reversal, Will Resign From Congress” by Jason Horowitz for New York Times
“Republicans Try to Fix Damage Scalise’s 2002 Speech Could Do in 2016” by Jonathan Martin and Jackie Calmes for New York Times
“U.S. Said to Investigate Sheldon Silver, New York Assembly Speaker, Over Payments” by William Rashbaum, Thomas, Kaplan, and Susanne Craig for New York Times
Procurement
Mississippi: “Task Force: Ban no-bid contracts in Mississippi prison system” by The Associated Press for Gulflive.com
December 15, 2014 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Dale Mallory Sentenced: ‘Nobody could ever buy my vote’” by Chrissie Thompson for Cincinnati Enquier Campaign Finance “The Special Powers of Super PACS, and Not Just for Federal Elections” by Derek Willis for New York Times “Registration Rule for […]
Lobbying
“Dale Mallory Sentenced: ‘Nobody could ever buy my vote’” by Chrissie Thompson for Cincinnati Enquier
Campaign Finance
“The Special Powers of Super PACS, and Not Just for Federal Elections” by Derek Willis for New York Times
“Registration Rule for Political Groups Ruled Too Vague” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Sun
“Koch-Backed Group Sues Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris Over Donor List” by Melanie Mason for Los Angeles Times
Ethics
“Energy Firms in Secretive Alliance with Attorneys General” by Eric Lipton for New York Times
“State Ethics Agency Faces More Changes” by Christina Cassidy (Associated Press) for Gainesville Sun
“Conviction of Kilpatrick Pal Beasley Likely End of an Era” by Tresa Baldas for Detroit Free Press
“Port Authority Board Debates Ethics Rules as Ex-Chairman David Samson Sues” by Shawn Boburg for Bergen Record
“After Ethics Panel’s Shutdown, Loopholes Live On in Albany” by Thomas Kaplan, William Rashbaum, and Susanne Craig for New York Times
“Rep. Sandra Williams Gets Suspended Jail Time, Fine for Misusing Campaign Funds” by Jeremy Pelzer (Northeast Ohio Media Group) for Cleveland Plain Dealer
“McAuliffe: No fundraising in special sessions” by Travis Fain for The Daily Press
Procurement
“Ex-Mayoral Aide Accused of Trying to Help Firm Get Camera Contract” by Luke Broadwater for Baltimore Sun
October 24, 2014 •
Pennsylvania Pay-to-Play Law Signed by Governor
Gov. Tom Corbett has signed a bill to curtail pay-to-play politics in state procurement contracts. House Bill 201 prohibits individuals who were employed by an offeror within the previous two years from participating in the evaluation of proposals. The new […]
Gov. Tom Corbett has signed a bill to curtail pay-to-play politics in state procurement contracts. House Bill 201 prohibits individuals who were employed by an offeror within the previous two years from participating in the evaluation of proposals.
The new law will prevent recently hired government workers from rewarding their former employers with large state contracts.
This provision will go into effect on December 20.
September 17, 2014 •
New Vendor Registration Procedures in Miami-Dade County
The Internal Services Department in Miami-Dade County has combined the separate vendor enrollment and registration processes into one online vendor registration. The online vendor registration process can be accessed here. Paper based registrations are no longer accepted. All registered vendors […]
The Internal Services Department in Miami-Dade County has combined the separate vendor enrollment and registration processes into one online vendor registration. The online vendor registration process can be accessed here.
Paper based registrations are no longer accepted.
All registered vendors whose status was “Active” prior to September 15, 2014 will be able to update their existing registration profiles through this portal. An email containing the login information will be sent to each firm currently registered or enrolled. These vendors will only be required to log-in to the portal to establish an online, secure profile. Thereafter, the existing registration records will be available to them online.
Vendors still must return a notarized business entity registration application by regular mail.
August 4, 2014 •
Ask the Experts – Selling to the State: Is Lobbyist Registration or Reporting Required?
Q. Several employees from my organization engage in selling to the states. Do they have any lobbyist registration or reporting requirements? A. The answer to your inquiry depends on two things: first, does the state regulate procurement lobbying, and second, […]
Q. Several employees from my organization engage in selling to the states. Do they have any lobbyist registration or reporting requirements?
A. The answer to your inquiry depends on two things: first, does the state regulate procurement lobbying, and second, is there an applicable bona fide salesperson exception to the registration requirement. To determine whether a state regulates procurement lobbying, you can use our Executive Source Guide on Procurement Lobbying. The regulation of individuals attempting to influence the selection of a vendor has increased significantly, and this trend is expected to continue.
In states where procurement lobbying is regulated, individuals engaging in sales activity may be exempt from the registration requirement where a bona fide salesperson exception exists. For example, in Maryland, a regular full time employee of a vendor paid to engage primarily in sales activity on behalf of the vendor is exempt from lobbyist registration. In New York, the exception even extends to sales agents with contracts to represent their clients for a period longer than six months.
Absent an exception, sales employees who meet the lobbyist registration threshold in a state regulating procurement lobbying will be required to register.
You can directly submit questions for this feature, and we will select those most appropriate and answer them here. Send your questions to: marketing@stateandfed.com.
(We are always available to answer questions from clients that are specific to your needs, and we encourage you to continue to call or e-mail us with questions about your particular company or organization. As always, we will confidentially and directly provide answers or information you need.) Our replies to your questions are not legal advice. Instead, these replies represent our analysis of laws, rules, and regulations.
June 27, 2014 •
New Jersey to Implement New eProcurement System
On October 14, 2014, New Jersey will implement State of the Art Requisition Technology (NJSTART), a new eProcurement system designed to simplify the procurement process, drive efficiency, and promote competition. The system’s online business directory will be accessible by all […]
On October 14, 2014, New Jersey will implement State of the Art Requisition Technology (NJSTART), a new eProcurement system designed to simplify the procurement process, drive efficiency, and promote competition. The system’s online business directory will be accessible by all state agencies, suppliers, and local governments. Vendors will be able to create individual profiles, receive email alerts for upcoming procurement opportunities, submit proposals, and access training manuals and reference guides.
NJSTART will replace the 25-year-old mainframe system and will allow vendors to access their profiles in real time at any time of day.
Early enrollment is available for vendors who would like to be properly registered when the new system goes live. Because vendors will only be paid if they are registered in the system, vendors on existing contracts are strongly encouraged to register in the system prior to October.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.